Pennington Marsh

A sunset veiw across the Solent to the Isle of Wight.

Water Mint

Through July to October, Water Mint (mentha aquatica) is commonly found in the forests wet places and along stream banks, highly aromatic with tightly clustered, lilac pink flower heads it is easy to identify. Water Mint has several Culinary and Medicinal uses. The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked and have been used to flavour hot and cold foods. Infusions of Water Mint leave have traditionally been used to treat fevers, headaches, digestive disorders and as a mouth-wash / gargle for sore throats, mouth ulcers and bad breath.

Bridge and ford

A view which epitomizes the New Forest

Changes

Climate change is no respecter of borders, continents, national boundaries mean nothing to this global phenomena, set to change everything. Frequently portrayed as being 'over there', in the past it's been easy for folk to ignore; melting ice caps, deforestation, drought and flood, have tended to happen somewhere else. Though, this year climate change has visited upon us a taste of what's to come. Change has become very tangible; alternate drought and flood, greater frequency of high winds, plant failure, landslides, all have taken their toll much closer to home. The more you look, the more you'll see. For example. This year I've had reason to lament the loss of too many mature trees, 200/300 years old, all healthy, many would would still be standing if it were not for deteriorating climatic conditions; drought and deluge weakening roots tenure and fierce gusts ripping through leafy canopies combined to devastating effect.

Is this to be our punishment? That we should watch the places we love deteriorate, piece by piece, tree by tree, until they're no more.

Sloe down

Last year at this time the Blackthorn boughs hung low under the weight of a healthy crop of sloes, the fruit of Prunus spinosa; this year all the trees I've seen are barren or bear solitary fruits. Usually this is the time to be planning Sloe Gin or Vodka, although I fear this year the picking will be meager and alternative fruit sources required. Blackberry Vodka I think.

New course for Highland Water

The restored/altered course of Highland Water, as it runs out of Camel Green, is very sympathetically done, with a pleasing gently meandering course. The work was done swiftly and with a great deal less destruction than I had anticipated; I shouldn't imagine it will not take too many years to heal and equilibrium return to these most beautiful woods.

Spy Holms sunset

Clavell Tower

No longer the shady ruin which stood close to the edge of Hen Cliff, overlooking Kimmeridge Bay, the repositioned and restored Clavell Tower is born again. Originally built in 1830, used for picnics, courting couples and as a coastguard lookout, Clavell Tower fell out of use and into the slow decline leading to dereliction after the First World War. As time went by the towers condition worsened as did the stability of the cliff on which it stood. In 2006 the remains of the tower (16,272 stones) were dismantled and along with 298 new carved stones was rebuilt 25m inland; securing the towers future for years to come.

Charnel and Broad Bench

Brinkin Wood

"Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises." -- Pedro Calderon de la Barca

Clearbury Down

A large area of Clearbury Down has been left to chalk grassland and the abundance and diversity of wildlife, both flora and fauna is phenomenal. Dozens of plants, of all colours and form, create an attractive environment to all things flying, butterflies, hoverflies, bees and others navigate their way between blooms, above birds swoop and dive, whilst higher still majestic birds of prey patrolled their roams. It was a privilege to spend time with nature in such a vibrant place.

Clearbury

Perched on a hill top above the slowly meandering river Avon, Clearbury Rings commands stunning views over rolling chalk downland and rich pastoral land flanking the Avon. It's Iron Age earthworks remain impressive, with the rampart measuring over 6m from bank top to ditch bottom in places and 2m or more from bank top to the occupied area within. In the period before 43AD in would have been a Durotriges stronghold bordering lands controlled by the Belgiae.

Harvest

Lughnasadh just passed and the rich agricultural landscape of the Avon Valley reflects this with fields ripe for harvest.

Stick shelter

I spied this particularly well made stick shelter amongst the stands of New Park enclosure. With some minor additions it would provide a serviceable, warm and comfortable overnight shelter.

Down by the riverside

A lazy afternoon attracts large numbers of ponies, young and old, and cows to Mill Lawn. Drawn by lush green grasses and a cooling stream, they appear happy with their lot.

Red Rise

Between racing clouds, dappled Sun breaks through the canopy of Red Rise to create magic.

Lughnasadh

Rejoice today and enjoy the Sun;
for harvest time has now begun.

John Barleycorn, transforms from green to gold;
his time's now come, as tradition has foretold.

A time to feast, a time for fun;
But be assured there's work to come.

Though Summer days seem never ending;
the path of the Sun is fast descending.

Now pause a while, look about and take stock;
the Goddess gifts us such a lot.

Reflect, that Autumn's still to come;
with two more feasts, till harvest's done.

Solent veiws

The clouds appeared to divide as they approached; inland, mountainous clouds bubble at speed across the land, to our South beyond the Isle of Wight, the same story, whilst above the Solent, clear azure skies.

Change for Great Huntley

There's change afoot in Huntley Bank. A straight section of Highland Water and adjoining feeder drain are in the process of remodeling. These changes will completely alter this area of woodland; we'll see if it's for better or worse in a year or two's time.

Nine Stones

Dartmoor

The view from Hay Tor towards Greater Rocks and Hound Tor beyond optimizes Dartmoor for me. Deeply wooded valleys, ancient reeves and even more ancient granite Tors creating a landscape beyond time.

Dart Valley

Boughs of determined trees, for centuries clinging to steep, moss covered rocky slopes, reach out towards the cool swirling, bolder strewn waters of the Dart.

Hurst Castle

Although its Tudor nucleus has been standing proud since 1544, Hurst castle, amended, added too and re fortified since then, has seen little action outside of World War 2. Had it though, I am certain it would have endured; it's massive fortifications appear indomitable.

Babbling Brook

Babbling Brook, what tales could you tell; if only I had the ear.

Seacombe rocks

Floating along the coast, the cliffs look different from this angle, new views unfold, hidden caverns exposed and secret places, normally reserved for the seabirds, made accessible. We scramble over abrasive rocks, buffeted by deceptively strong waves, to stand on perches new. Down below fish swim deftly through a garden of multi coloured weed which wafts gently to and fro, in tune with the ebbing tides. Later, climbing out of the long redundant quarry and making our way through flower filled pastures, we pause to survey the vistas afforded us. Another day of new horizons and the joy of finding the new hidden within the familiar.

Wild Marjoram

Wild marjoram is a native British perennial and particularly attractive to butterflies. Wild marjoram (Origanum vulgare)is closely related to Oregano and can be used in the same ways.

Broad bench

You've got to make the most of what you get, so bright and early off we set to the coast. Kimmeridge our destination, to enjoy our intention. The sea was mill pool still, the sort of blue you can never reproduce and cool, not cold, just spartan enough to revive and refresh. A dip in the blue, bathed in sun, cooled by an almost invisible breeze as you sat on rocks as old as time; it was elemental, man.

The shore was clear and the lure of the unfamiliar strong as we made our way to the base of Gad Cliffs. Gad Cliffs, always out of bounds, being the overshoot area for the nearby tank ranges. We'd never been here before, in all our years of exploring the Purbecks; although I'd often spied the area with longing. We were not disappointed. Following animal paths we made our way through lush undergrowth, fragrant with an abundance of wild flowers, beneath towering ramparts of cliff, up, and then up some more we climbed, until we reached our goal of Townly Sheltons seat and our reward as the finest views of the Jurassic coast were afforded us. The rise in spirits is tangible

Fallen

Up turned trees are a common sight presently throughout the forest, victims of our recklessness, our disregard for nature and equilibrium. In years to come, their roots too will endure, like this Oak slighted in some time passed, to remind us of our folly and our place in things. We could have it so good.

Markway sky

Is there no end to this weather? Stupid humans, what have we done!

Sharks teeth

Wander along Barton beach and you'll stumble across a plethora of fossils; shells of many types and if you're lucky some sharks teeth. The fossils in the area date from around 40 million years ago, when Barton was part of a warm shallow sea.

Isle of Wight

Grey!

Summer cloud

The clouds maybe wandering, but by no means are they lonely.

Global warning

Remember when the phrase 'global warming' first entered the wider public consciousness, people quipped , 'good, better summers' and alike, the point conveniently being missed; maybe that was the point, cynical view I know. A few decades on and the reality of climate change isn't the comfortable, and somewhat whimsical, vision of warmer beers in a Mediterranean Britain; not by a long chalk. No, climate change has wrought chaos on our seasons and the natural cycles there in. Now the only predictable aspects of seasonal weather are their unpredictable nature and as a consequence the effects of our reckless disregard for our planet are coming home to roost.

Fencing

More and more trees are succumbing to the unseasonal weather. A new gate and section of fence were required in South Oakley enclosure, where a large Oak had truncated the boundary line.

More of the same.

Welcome to water world.

Here comes the Summer

Liquid sunshine continues to reign over the forest, a forest out of time, seasons juxtaposed. Woodland streams, flows usually barely covering their gravel beds at this point of the year, burst their banks, flooding the stands and any low laying ground.

If.

'If', a tiny word with massive connotations and implications.

Dew pond

Scarface

This old Beech has been the focus of many a knife over the years. The earliest date, I could see, is 1919 and they continue to the present day.

Rempstone again

The dappled Sun, breaking through the encroaching canopy, gave Rempstone a different air and appearance from my last visit. Even though there is evidence of some use, shell and coin offerings, I'm surprised this site doesn't see more use.